Does your skin have jetlag?

Our repair genes get groggy, too, so here’s how to reset them, according to GH beauty director Lynne Hyland

The spirit of adventure

Straight-talking: journalist Terri White in conversation with MP

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Our philosophy is simple: life should be full

On the cover

Photography Chris Craymer Stylist Polly Lewis Hair, makeup

Tried. Tested. Trusted – the GHI mantra

The Good Housekeeping Institute , or GHI, is the beating heart of our brand , where everything from slow cookers to sports bras is poked, prodded and put through its paces by our experts. On any given day in our west London lab , we could be testing the water-resistance claims of walking jackets by soaking them in the shower, or analysing hair swatches to see if a conditioner truly shines. We go to extreme lengths to ensure you can trust our product recommendations. We know the details matter. They’re what keeps your life running smoothly. Getting it right is simply good housekeeping.

Holidays

Emma Justice, GH travel expert emma.justice @ hearst.co.uk

Ride the GoldenPass Express and discover scenic Switzerland

Travel by rail on this no-fly tour, taking in the beauty of Lake Geneva, and visit the vineyards of Lavaux for a wine tasting

Discover Carcassonne’s history with Kate Mosse

Tour the Occitanie region with the international bestselling author, as you see the key locations that inspired her works

Taste the flavours of Bordeaux with chef Tom Kitchin

Explore historic châteaux, savour fine French wines and visit local farmers’ markets with the top chef

Tour the picturesque Cotswolds and meet Adam Henson

Visit five quintessential English gardens and learn about farm life from the Countryfile presenter

Explore Holland’s waterways & gardens with Adam Frost

Discover rural Holland, Amsterdam and Rotterdam on this 2026 springtime sailing with the TV gardener

A quick word from our experts at the

Every month, the GHI experts put products through their paces to bring you the best – and these are the latest to pass our rigorous tests

Good thinking…

You tell us what you’ve been reading, enjoying, discovering and thinking about while reading Good Housekeeping …

How we do it

For 103 years, GH has been recommending products that last and illuminating ideas to change the way we live. Here’s how we put rigorous testing and advice you can trust at the heart of all we do.

Meet the team...

This month’s Good Housekeeping experts

‘You have to CHOOSE each other OVER ANYTHING ELSE’

From pop star to Kitchen Disco icon, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has brought joy to lives and homes across the globe. She talks to Rosamund Dean about marriage, menopause and why the music must go on

Airing my laundry...

What’s your most controversial housekeeping opinion? ‘‘

Everything is absolutely, definitely 100% fine

Anniki Sommerville…

Nobody flippin’ told me…

What do you wish you’d been told before

Cringe or cool: would you crash your child’s gap year?

The number of young adults taking a gap year is rising. So, too, the parents eager to join them. Ruth Corbett was one of them…

What did Georgie think?

I was hugely hoping Mum and Dad would

Dos and don’ts of crashing your child’s gap year

■ Don’t cramp your child’s style. They’ll

‘It’s very quick for WOMEN to normalise VIOLENCE they suffer… I HATE that’

At the age of nine, Terri White fled from violence to a woman’s refuge. Today, she talks to Jess Phillips , Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls

Jess Phillips answers your questions

You’ve endured significant abuse. What keeps you going?

The BIG wardrobe deep dive

GH household advice editor Katie helps style director Melanie tackle her overflowing wardrobe and shares her top decluttering tips

Melanie’s verdict

Honestly, Katie has changed my life! The biggest

Katie’s organisation essentials

Velvet hangers, £9.49 for 30, Amazon Basics Shoe

How to survive a Gen Alpha summer

Anniki Somerville seeks expert help to cope with the savviest, sassiest and seemingly most sophisticated generation yet

5 golden rules of raising Gen Alpha

■ Start conversations about difficult things. Online,

My summer seeking pleasure in Paris

Single, in her late 40s and without children, author Glynnis MacNicol found herself craving touch, companionship and joy. So she set off to Paris to seek out indulgence and downright debauchery

What my father’s affair taught me about love

Author Tanith Carey’s world fell apart as a child when her dad left. Fifty years on, she’s still dealing with the aftershocks

How free writing can help process complex trauma

It may sound deceptively simple, but studies show

Writing home with… Lauren Laverne

PHOTOGRAPHY: JONTY DAVIES, GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO, JAMIE STOKER/VICTORIA &

This month’s wish list

■ Book Golden Hill by Francis Spufford

The joy of tat How plastic posies set me free

When David Lloyd’s mum first gave him fake flowers, he hid them. Now, they’ve taken over his home. And he’s not unhappy about it…

‘When I write letters to Margaret, it’s like she’s still here’

When journalist and author Hunter Davies lost his wife of more than 50 years, the novelist Margaret Forster, he began writing to her instead

‘I’m the breadwinner – how can I afford to change career?’

Ask Erica

Takeaway toolkit

Tips for a later-life career change.

Housewise

Our bite-sized round-up of EVERYTHING AND THE KITCHEN SINK

All the holiday feels

Capture summer vacation vibes at home with this

Garden bounty

If you’re lacking inspiration for what to do with your homegrown veggies this month – hats off to your green-fingered prowess! Whether it’s an excess of toms or a glut of fresh peas, here are our favourite ways to use them up this month.

Scenting sunset

What could be more life-affirming than the day’s final rays of sunshine falling on your skin as you gaze at the shifting colours of the sky? This summer’s new fragrances capture all the joy and beauty of golden hour, wherever your travels take you…

Chill out

Drinks box, £179, Fieldbar We love it

Alfresco living

Now that our gardens have become outdoor living rooms, furniture has gone beyond the deckchair and picnic-style table. Today, chairs are comfortable and stylish, while tables are chic and long-lasting. If your space needs an upgrade, these pieces will do the trick.

Here come the hotsteppers

Chosen by our fashion team for comfort, design, longevity and in-the-know glam, these sandals go the extra mile to elevate your summer style. You’ll love them so much, you’ll be wearing them for years to come.

In bloom

WORDS: RACHEL LOOS. TRAVEL GAMES COMPILED BY: LAURA

Boredom busters

Here’s our pick of the best travel games for every type of player. Ideal for screen-free staycations or entertaining the troops on long car journeys – no arguing in the back!

A brush with style

WORDS: RACHEL LOOS. PHOTOGRAPHY & SET DESIGN: NOCERA

Say cheers... to the most wonderful time of the year

Crack open the sherry and bring on the mince pies – it’s time for our VIP testers to begin the Christmas taste testing

Freeze and easy

An ice-cream maker opens up endless possibilities, from home-made sorbets to granitas and gelato. We tested all the market leaders in our lab and these are our winning buys. Mr Whippy? We don’t know him.

Honey, Date and Tahini Frozen Yogurt

A sophisticated ice-cream alternative, perfect for summer entertaining.

Clothed in confidence

Who said fashion was frivolous? Our incredible reader makeover, styled by Gok Wan and JD Williams, proves just how powerful the right outfit can be

Smart space-savers

The GHI’s top-rated appliances to help you maximise

Best detergents for whitening

BEST NON-BIO LIQUID Persil Non Bio Laundry Washing

How to recession-proof your life, whatever your age

If the thought of your finances leaves you panicky, it’s time to take control, says Marina Gask

Facing facts

Counsellor Georgina Sturmer says: ‘Whatever our age,

‘I was one of the Lost Lionesses’

As the Women’s Euros kick off, Gill Sayell looks back on her experience of playing in England’s 1971 World Cup squad

My life in a biscuit tin

Beauty brand founder, model and author Jo Wood shares her ‘things worth keeping, tips worth sharing’

The female pioneers

Edited for style, quality, fit and washability

How can I put together an outfit that works for me?

Ask Melanie

Icon necklaces

Never underestimate the power of a statement necklace as your outfit’s finishing touch. Each of these pieces holds stop-youin-your-tracks magic, whether you’re adding to your own collection or giving as a gift.

It’s the hot buy… but am I too old for a Labubu?

Fashionably late

Pack smart, travel light

Don’t go anywhere without checking our definitive holiday packing guide, as GH team members share the essential items they can’t travel without

Hormones:a user’s guide

No nonsense trends, no impossible goals, just simple, straightforward advice for good health-keeping. This month… From stress-related cortisol to ‘orgasmic’ oxytocin, Polly Vernon shares all she’s learned about hormonal health

The five small health tweaks that changed me

What are the easiest ways to safeguard our health? For her new book, Polly spoke to the experts – here’s what she discovered.

Hikes to heal your heart

After losing her grandfather, Annabel Streets turned to a simple yet restorative practice: walking. Here, she shares the health and healing benefits for us all

The best UK walks in every landscape

Find a walk to bring you therapeutic benefits with some of our favourite hiking routes

Be your own health coach

Your libido is about more than sex. Listen to its whispers and you could learn a lot about your overall heath says Dr Mo Khaki

Sunshine eats

Easy entertaining, tasty midweeks and summery treats

Everyday EASY

Speedy meals to see you through the week

Itʼs giving beach

Bring the joy of a beach-shack supper to your back garden with fried nibbles, barbecued fish and a cocktail-inspired sweet treat

The stone roses

One of the true highlights of high summer has to be the juicy abundance of stone fruits. From cherries to peaches, plums to apricots, they can put on a show in both sweet and savoury dishes. Come celebrate with us...

Fill up on FLAVOUR

Is your cupboard full of ingredients bought for one dish and never used again? Step forward Flavour Heroes , the new book from Gurdeep Loyal

The sweet spot

Biscoff Ice Cream Bagel Sandwiches RECIPE: ALICE

Murder, he read

Mark Gatiss’s star-filled new detective series Bookish is a case of mischievous fun

20 hottest books of summer

We’ve read every hot new book, from thrillers to memoirs, to find the best holiday reads. Plus, we’re giving you a chance to be published online by GH!

Could you write next summer’s bestseller?

If you’ve always dreamed of seeing your novel in print, this is your chance to make it a reality. GH has teamed up with a top literary agency to help you reach your goal

How to make your entry stand out

Nelle Andrew shares her tips on what makes a winning entry.

What the writers are reading this summer

Five top authors give us the inside scoop on the books they’re excited about

Looking for a guaranteed good read?

These eight novels have been selected for our first ever Good Books Collection, chosen by our panel of GH VIP Members and expert judges

Work the room

Small spaces such as pantries, laundry rooms and ‘bootilities’ need to punch above their weight. Here’s the experts’ guide

How to let go of… childhood toys

A bit of a mess

Yes, you can make your whites brighter!

Keep your Wimbledon whites from greying with these tips from our homes and household advice editor Katie Mortram

is throwing herself into upkeeping

Paula Reed…

JOIN US … for our invite-only Book Club with Tracy Chevalier

The bestselling author of Girl With A Pearl Earring joins us for a special evening, exclusively for our VIP Members

The Maldives reinvented

These paradise island resorts are no longer just for couples but for groups, families and solo travellers, too

‘It was time to take stock and review the wreckage’

Facing 60, Fiona McIntosh booked into Thailand’s latest health retreat for a top-to-toe reset

All that jazz in the Dordogne

Teresa Levonian Cole visits Château des Milandes, former home of legendary performer Josephine Baker, to see her most iconic costumes

WHERE ELSE TO FOLLOW IN JOSEPHINE’S FOOTSTEPS

■ The Riad Star (above) in Marrakech (marrakech-riad.

Alaska awaits

A cruise offers the most immersive and enjoyable way to experience this state’s majestic glaciers, diverse wildlife and fresh local food

Power up your brain & elevate your mind

Are you looking for a mental challenge? This month’s brilliant brainteasers will take you one step closer to a smarter you

Finders keepers

Sometimes it’s good to look back before going forward. So here’s what we found this month by delving into a GH August issue from times gone by…